Heated soft gift item

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein a non-therapeutic shaped soft warm gift item comprising an exothermic heating device that is activated to produce an elevated temperature of the item. The item is optionally provided on a base such as a greeting card, stuffed toy animal as well as any suitable substrate. The item is heated either by providing a chemically reactive layer in a sealed pouch or by an electrically activated element such as a battery powered heating element with associated electrical circuit. The shape of the item conforms to the sentiment associated with the gift and the warmth produced by the exothermic heating device can be felt by the touch of the item.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/704,160 filed Nov. 1, 2000 entitled HEATED SOFT GIFT ITEM.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a gift item and, in particular, to agift item that may arrive in a state of elevated temperature or whichcan be easily activated whereby the temperature of the item increases toan elevated temperature to become heated.

[0003] In the art of gift giving the expression of warm regards is oftengiven. In the English language the term “warm” or warmth” has at least adual connotation relating to sentiment or an expression of human regardor feelings as well as the physical meaning of temperature, or rather toa somewhat elevated temperature. As employed herein with regard to theinvention being claimed the term “warm” or a word derived therefromrefers to either one or both meanings of the word as noted above.

[0004] Devices that can be used to elevate or lower the temperature of abody part have been employed for many years in therapeutic procedures.These therapeutic devices have taken the form, in one way or the other,of material that can be packaged and then heated or cooled, as the needmay require, in the treatment or therapy being performed. The package isthen inserted into a device provided with pockets into which the heatedpackage fits snuggly. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,697,962 to Brink. This device comprises a therapeutic wrap that isplaced around a body part such as a leg or knee by means of elasticstraps. The wrap is provided with openings forming a pocket into whichthere can be placed a hot or cold substance, usually in a package,adjacent to the body. As the temperature of the hot or cold packagemoderates, the package can be exchanged for a fresh one so that the wrapneed not be removed from its strapped position on the body.

[0005] Another device to heat body parts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,928,275 to Yates et al.

[0006] This device is a belt that surrounds the body and containspockets at the position opposite each kidney. Heated packs can beinserted into the pockets to heat the body in the vicinity of thekidneys. The theory of the device is that if body blood is heated theblood will in turn heat the entire body. Because the kidneys hold for atime some portion of the blood supply, the heating means adjacentthereto will supply additional warmth to the blood, which will, whencirculated to the entire body, aid in keeping it heated. Again thepackages placed into the pocket of the belt are replaceable or they canbe heated continuously by means of a battery powered heat source.

[0007] Another therapeutic device containing pockets into which eitherhot or cold packages can be placed is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,168,590. This device is in the form of a pillowcase containing pocketsadvantageously placed so as to provide the ability to administertherapeutic treatment to the user when the pillowcase is placed around apillow. The pockets can be employed to change the shape of the pillow toconform to a needed contour. Also, the pockets may hold hot or coldpackages as may be needed.

[0008] Yet another therapeutic device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,694,829. This device is in the form of a stuffed toy such as a “teddy”bear or cartoon character equipped with an internal pocket surrounded byan insulating layer made up of the stuffing of the toy. A slit in thecover of the stuffed toy provides access to an internal pocket intowhich a package of heated or cooled material is placed. Because thetherapeutic device is in the shape of a stuffed toy, a child would morelikely not be startled or ill at ease with the device while receivingtreatment. One advantage cited by the patent is the psychological effectof calming an injured child by means of applying a stuffed toy. Thestuffing also provides an absorbent material in the event of any leakageof the heated or cooled package.

[0009] Yet another therapeutic device for children is a stuffed “teddy”bear containing an internally installed package containing a mixture ofclay and oil. Such clay/oil mixtures are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,494,598 to Hughes. The clay/oil mixture is designed to absorb, holdand dispense heat. In operation, the therapeutic device is placed in anoven or microwave oven to heat the clay/oil mixture within the interiorof the stuffed bear. The bear is then held by the child whereby the heatis released to aid the child. The bear is sold under the trademarkThermiPaq™ owned by Thermionics Corp.

[0010] The heart is a symbol of emotion in art and gift giving. Theheart is especially expressed in valentine greeting cards. Variations ofthe heart theme have been disclosed such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,506to Mehta. In this device, the heart is made to oscillate much as theworking human heart does as the muscles of the heart move the bloodthroughout the body. Movement such as a pulsating motion is achieved byproviding a small electrical source which powers a drive means whichcauses an oscillating motion within the heart shaped device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The non-therapeutic shaped gift item of this invention comprisesan exothermic heating device that is activated by applying pressure orby an electrical circuit whereby the shaped item is heated to providethe sensory perception of warmth. Typically the non-therapeutic heatedgift is provided with a base item. Further, in accordance with thisinvention, there is provided a nontherapeutic heated gift item which cantake any number of shapes, and wherein the particular shape mayrepresent a theme message. The theme is presented with or withoutprinted matter and is a symbolic expression of emotion, a message ofendearment, a message of a desire, an organizational reference, or anyexpression of a thought in which the warmth of the heated gift item is ameans to uniquely emphasis the theme of the gift by means of the sensoryperception of warmth. The shaped heated gift item is provided on anynumber of base items such as greeting cards, stuffed animals, cartooncharacters or stuffed images representative of trades or professions,magnetic strips attachable to a refrigerator or the like, accessorynovelty items such as small pillows or plaques, and so forth. The baseitem may also contain a message consonant with or in conjunction withthe theme of the heated gift item. The shaped exothermic heating deviceor base item may bear a message in the form of printed matter followingor indicating the theme of the message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom a study of the following specification when viewed in the light ofthe accompanying drawings.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a non-therapeutic gift item wherein theexothermic device is in the shape of a heart situated on an optionalbase comprising a greeting card.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a non-therapeutic gift item wherein theexothermic device is in the shape of a star situated on an optional basecomprising a stuffed toy in the shape of a bear.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a non-therapeutic gift item wherein theexothermic device is in the shape of a heart without a base and combinedwith text.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gift item of FIG. 3 takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The term “heated gift item” as employed herein means an item thatcomprises an exothermic layer which can be employed by activation ofchemical or electrical means to provide the item with an elevatedtemperature. The heated gift item of this invention is therefore onethat contains an exothermic layer containing active energy as well aslatent energy that can be activated by either the provider or therecipient of the gift. The elevated temperature provided by theexothermic layer is such that an elevated temperature can be perceivedon the exterior of the item from at least one side. In many instancesthe heated gift is equipped with a long lasting exothermic layer suchthat said layer can be activated prior to presentation of the gift to arecipient so as to be received in a warmed condition. One such articleis an air activated exothermic layer having sufficient reactive materialto last for as long as forty hours thereby enabling the provider toactivate the exothermic layer and deliver the gift item or have the giftitem delivered within the period of time in which the exothermic layeris providing heat to the gift item. Such an air activated exothermiclayer is described below.

[0018] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown in plan view anon-therapeutic soft gift item in the form of a greeting card 1. Shownin FIG. 1 is the interior of greeting card 1 having a first page 3joined at the edge with a second page 5. Affixed to second page 5 is ashaped exothermic device 7 in the shape of a heart that is activatedeither before being given to a recipient or which can be easilyactivated by the recipient. The soft gift item may be attached to thecard by any conventional means such as a laminate, hook and pile,adhesive, or other fastening or attaching mechanisms.

[0019] One preferred example of an exothermic device 7 is an airactivated layered pouch as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,378 to Usui,which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The Usui device is alayered pouch in which at least one side of the pouch is air permeableand encasing a substance that can be reactive when in contact with air.Another layer of auxiliary material is provided within the pouch which,when mixed with the reactive substance in the presence of air, allows anexothermic reaction to take place. The air reactive layer may containother materials that do not allow it to react with air. The exothermicreaction layer includes an exothermic substance as an essentialingredient thereof That is, the exothermic reaction layer is composed ofan exothermic substance solely, or of a mixture comprising an exothermicsubstance and at least some of the other ingredients of the exothermiccomposition, being arranged to not start an exothermic reaction in airuntil mixed with the auxiliary layer that is separated from theexothermic substance by a membrane. Typically, the exothermic substancecan be laminated onto the gas permeable film prior to being sealedtogether with the auxiliary layer maintained in a physically separatelayer by a separation membrane. However, where the gas-tight film orsheet is applied after the exothermic composition is laminated on thegas-permeable film or sheet at one surface, movement of the exothermiccomposition inside the pouch is effectively prevented by bonding withthe gas-permeable film or sheet at one surface. Therefore, only a singlegas-tight film or sheet of a polymeric material need be used. Of course,the reactive layer may contain other ingredients made of at least one ofthe powdered ingredients, such as an exothermic substance, carbonpowder, a water retainer and a metallic chloride.

[0020] The auxiliary layer is a liquid layer containing water alone oran aqueous solution of metallic chloride, or a mucous layer made ofliquid, such as water or an aqueous solution of metallic chloride, andmay also contain at least one of powdered ingredients such as carbonpowder, and a water retainer.

[0021] The water retainer used in the present invention is not limitedas long as it is soluble or dispersible in water or an aqueous solutionof a metallic chloride to hold water or to increase viscosity of wateror the aqueous solution of a metallic chloride. Specifically, what areusable are, for example, starch water retainers, polysaccharide waterretainers, cellulose derivative water retainers, acrylic resin waterretainers, polyvinyl alcohol water retainers, urea resin water retainersand dispersed emulsion water retainers.

[0022] By applying pressure to the device the membrane separating theair reactive material from the layer containing the auxiliary materialis ruptured thereby mixing the necessary ingredients to form a reactivemixture which, in the presence of air, provides an exothermic reactionand heats the device 7. The device can be covered on other sides with agas tight film.

[0023] However, where the gas-tight film or sheet is applied after theexothermic composition is laminated on the gas-permeable film or sheetat one surface, movement of the exothermic composition inside the pouchis effectively prevented by bonding with the gas-permeable film or sheetat one surface. Therefore, only a single gas-tight film or sheet of apolymeric material may be used.

[0024] The film or sheet for forming the pouch is not limited to anyparticular material. Usable materials include, for example, polymericmaterials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester,polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyurethane, polystyrene,saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer; paper; cloths and the like.

[0025] Typical examples of the gas-permeable films or sheets of apolymeric material include a porous film or sheet formed by a drawingprocess, extraction of particular ingredients, foaming or the like.Also, a perforated film or sheet with bores formed by a mechanicalprocess such as punching or boring may be employed to allow air tocontact the reactive layer.

[0026] Where a gas-tight film or sheet of a polymeric material is usedfor the application surface of the pouch, the material of this film orsheet is not limited. Polymeric materials usable include, for example,polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,polyvinylidene chloride, polyurethane, polystyrene, saponifiedethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.The layered device may be heat-sealed or contained by heat activatedadhesives and the like.

[0027] The exothermic substance is not limited as long as it bringsabout an exothermic reaction in the presence of air, whether it is anorganic substance, an inorganic substance or a mixture thereof.Specifically, a known exothermic composition (so-called chemical heater)may be used, which includes, for example, a metal powder acting as anexothermic substance, carbon powder having an action to cause oxidationof the metal powder and Ph adjusting and catalytic actions, a metallicchloride for breaking oxide film on surfaces of the metal powder topromote smooth oxidation of the metal powder, water, a water retainerfor avoiding sogginess due to the water, an inhibitor against filmformation due to dryness, a surface active agent for improvingdispersion, and an antifoaming agent.

[0028] The metal powder may be iron powder, zinc powder, aluminumpowder, magnesium powder, or powder of an alloy of two or more of thesesubstances. However, iron powder is the most desirable from the point ofview of safety, handling convenience, cost, storage characteristics andstability.

[0029] Carbon powder may comprise activated carbon, carbon black orgraphite. For use in the form of mucus, it is desirable to provide afine powder of 200 mesh or less.

[0030] In a preferred known exothermic composition, particularly fromthe point of view of stability, economy, continuance of heating effectand storage characteristics, metal powder is used as the exothermicsubstance, and ingredients of the exothermic composition in theexothermic device are in the following proportions: 40 to 80% by weightof a metal powder, 1 to 20% by weight of carbon powder, 0.5 to 5% byweight of a metallic chloride, 5 to 40% by weight of water, and 1 to 10%by weight of a water retainer. Of course, the amount of material to beincluded in the heated gift item of this invention is optional and maybe measured in terms of the extent of the amount of reactive materialemployed or potential of the electrically heated element in the device.

[0031] The metallic chloride may be a chloride of an alkali metal suchas sodium chloride or potassium chloride, or a chloride of an alkaliearth metal such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.

[0032] Where the exothermic reactive substance layer or reactionauxiliary layer is formed in the manner such as printing, screenprinting, gravure and so on, the exothermic reactive layer or reactionauxiliary layer is formed to be in the order of 0.02 to 1.5 mm,preferably 0.05 to 1 mm, and especially 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0033] In FIG. 2 there is shown a plan view of a stuffed toy animal 9,such as a teddy bear, having applied to its surface a non-therapeuticshaped heated gift item 11 in the form of a star. Of course, the shapeof the warm gift item is entirely optional and may take on any number ofshapes depending upon the purpose of the gift. As indicated in FIG. 2,text may be included on the soft warm gift item to express the sentimentproper for the occasion of the gift. For example, instead of a star, aheart shaped soft warm gift item may be affixed with the words “get wellsoon” or the like. The shaped heated soft gift item 11 may be attachedto the stuffed toy animal 9 by any number of means. Typically it may beattached by thread sewn into the sealed lining of the soft warm giftitem, a hook and pile arrangement providing a quick release hookmaterial on one surface that engages the pile material of the othersurface for quick release, double sided tape on the shaped heated softgift item 11 with a peel off layer that enables ready attachment to thestuffed toy animal 9, a strap or belt, or other suitable means.

[0034] The exothermic reactive layer in this instance is particularlyadapted to an electrically activated device in the portion of the shapedheated gift item 11 preferably within the gift item positioned closestto the stuffed animal. Preferably the electrically activated heatingelement is a flat, flexible member containing a material that increasesin temperature when an electrical circuit is applied thereto. Theelectrically activated heat element would take the place of theexothermic layer described above with respect to FIG. 1. The batterypack employed to electrically activate the gift item may be securedinside the stuffed toy animal with wires or other suitable electricalconnection means protruding at the point of attachment of the gift itemfor connection with contact points or other means provided on the shapedheated gift item 11. Connection of the wires or other electrical meansto the gift item would then be made out of sight to the casual observerand the batteries changed when needed for a long lasting gift. Anelectrically operated heated item is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,928,275 which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] As will be more fully described below, the shaped heated giftitem may be provided with a padded layer to assure control of the amountof heat to which the recipient may be exposed. Of course, an activatedlayered pouch as described above may also be employed in conjunctionwith a stuffed toy animal as shown in FIG. 2 and having a padded layeropposite the side adjacent to the stuffed animal. The padded layer maybe of any suitable material and covered with a decorative outer layer onwhich printed matter may be applied. Typical material for the paddedlayer is a flexible plastic foam material such as polyethylene, cotton,multiple layers of cotton fabric, wool, or any suitable foamed polymersuch as polyurethane and the like.

[0036] There is shown in FIG. 3 a shaped heated gift item 13 in theshape of a heart. In this instance a base item does not support the item13. The item is prepared to be self supporting and is usually flexibleand wrapped in an outer layer that is durable such as a nylon clothcover or some other textile that will wear well and support printedmatter as indicated in FIG. 3. The exothermic layer of FIG. 1 would besuitable in this instance to provide the heat at the appropriate timeeither just prior to delivery of the gift item, or the recipient wouldreceive instructions along with the gift to activate the exothermiclayer and provide the heat resulting in a warm shaped gift item.

[0037] In FIG. 4 there is shown a cross-sectional view taken along line4-4 of FIG. 3. In this instance the outer layer 15 contains foam paddingor the like to moderate the heat generated within the item 13. Layer 17contains a liquid for activating an exothermic reactive substance and istermed above with respect to FIG. 1 as an auxiliary material. Layer 19contains the reactive substance which, when activated by rupture of themembrane 17 a between layers 17 and 19, reacts to produce heat in thefashion described above with respect to FIG. 1. The ingredients oflayers 17 and 19 may vary as the only non-optional item, water, residesin layer 17 until activation. The other ingredients such as carbonparticles, metal chloride and so forth may reside in either layer. Asnoted above with respect to FIG. 1, outer layer 21 must be anair-permeable layer to permit air entry into layer 19. Until themembrane 17 a is ruptured allowing a mixing of the ingredients of bothlayers, no reaction occurs.

[0038] The shaped heated gift item 13 may be provided with straps (notshown), a belt, or other attachment means whereby it may be affixed todifferent items at the option of either the provider or the recipient ofthe gift. Thus, item 13 may be affixed to a stuffed toy animal as shownin FIG. 2 such as through the use of a strap or belt which holds thegift item 13 and wraps around and attaches to at least a portion of thestuffed toy animal 9. In this embodiment, item 13 may be affixed bymeans noted above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 to a stuffed toy animalthat is familiar to a child rather than to a new toy that is notfamiliar to a child. The advantages of a device such as item 13 areobvious to any parent.

[0039] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the purposes and advantages mentioned above as wellas those inherent therein. While preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been described for the purpose of this disclosure, changes in theconstruction and arrangement of parts and the performance of steps canbe made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassedwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0040] The various aspects of the present invention are not limited bythe particular details of the examples illustrated herein and it istherefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, orequivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It isaccordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modificationsand applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

[0041] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present inventioncan be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and theappended claims.

1. A non-therapeutic shaped gift item comprising an exothermic heatingdevice whereby the gift item provides a feeling of warmth to the touchof the recipient of the gift.
 2. The gift item of claim 1 wherein theexothermic device is an air activated reactive layer in conjunction withan auxiliary layer whereby when said layers are combined an exothermicreaction occurs.
 3. The gift item of claim 1 wherein the exothermiclayer is an electrically activated heating element.
 4. The gift item ofclaim 2 wherein the exothermic layer comprises a metal powder.
 5. Thegift item of claim 4 wherein the exothermic layer is placed adjacent anauxiliary layer comprising water.
 6. The gift item of claim 5 whereinthe auxiliary layer further comprises ingredients selected from thegroup consisting of an aqueous solution of a metal chloride, carbonpowder and a water retainer.
 7. The gift item of claim 4 wherein themetal powder is iron.
 8. The gift item of claim 3 wherein the exothermicdevice is a flat flexible heating electrical heating element.
 9. Thegift item of claim 4 wherein the metal powder is selected from the groupconsisting of iron, aluminum, zinc, magnesium and any mixture thereof.10. The gift item of claim 6 wherein the water retainer is selected fromthe group consisting of starch water retainers, polysaccharide waterretainers, cellulose derivative water retainers, acrylic resin waterretainers, polyvinyl alcohol water retainers, urea resin waterretainers.
 11. A non-therapeutic shaped heated gift item comprising abase item, and an exothermic heating device whereby the gift itemprovides a feeling of warmth to the touch of the recipient of the gift.12. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the exothermic device is an airactivated reactive layer in conjunction with an auxiliary layer wherebywhen said layers are combined an exothermic reaction occurs.
 13. Thegift item of claim 11 wherein the exothermic layer is an electricallyactivated heating element.
 14. The gift item of claim 12 wherein theexothermic layer comprises a metal powder.
 15. The gift item of claim 14wherein the exothermic layer is placed adjacent an auxiliary layercomprising water.
 16. The gift item of claim 15 wherein the auxiliarylayer further comprises ingredients selected from the group consistingof an aqueous solution of a metal chloride, carbon powder and a waterretainer.
 17. The gift item of claim 14 wherein the metal powder isiron.
 18. The gift item of claim 13 wherein the exothermic device is aflat flexible heating electrical heating element.
 19. The gift item ofclaim 14 wherein the metal powder is selected from the group consistingof iron, aluminum, zinc, magnesium and any mixture thereof.
 20. The giftitem of claim 15 wherein the water retainer is selected from the groupconsisting of starch water retainers, polysaccharide water retainers,cellulose derivative water retainers, acrylic resin water retainers,polyvinyl alcohol water retainers, urea resin water retainers.
 21. Thegift item of claim 11 wherein the base item is a greeting card.
 22. Thegift item of claim 11 wherein the base item is a stuffed toy animal. 23.The gift item of claim 22 wherein the stuffed toy animal is in the formof a teddy bear.
 24. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the gift item isa plaque.
 25. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the base item isselected from the group consisting of a cartoon character or stuffedimages representative of trades or professions, magnetic strips and apillow.